HELPFUL INFORMATION AFTER BEING IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND WORK INJURY

Other Helpful Web Sites

Social Security Disability Help from Attorney NoyesIn addition to helping those injured in car accidents, motorcycle crashes, workers' compensation claims and other personal injury matters, Matthew Noyes helps the disabled fight to get the SSD benefits from the Social Security Administration.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Everyone knows that a car accident can cause neck pain or lower back pain. However, a shoulder injury is also very common in an automobile accident and often goes undetected.

After a car accident, it is important to look for these symptoms to determine whether your shoulder was injured in the crash:

Loss of range of motion in your shoulder. Try to differentiate the restricted range of motion from the loss of range of motion in your neck.

Pain in the shoulder or upper extremity.

Weakness in your shoulder or in your arm. This may be coming from your cervical spine, but also could be because of an injury to your shoulder.

Ecchymosis. Check for bruising around the shoulder, particularly where the seat belt harass lays on the shoulder. If there is bruising, it is important that you mention this to your doctor.

Muscle aches, swelling and numbness or tingling in your hand or arm. This may be from your neck injury, but your doctor can perform orthopedic testing to determine if there is an underlying shoulder injury causing the problems.

After a car accident, it is important that you talk to your doctor about your symptoms so he or she can understand the exact extent of your injuries. If there is a shoulder injury from the car accident, treatment may include medications, physical therapy, trigger-point injections into muscle spasms with such drugs as Lidocaine, a local anesthetic. Treatment for shoulder injuries could also include spinal injection or epidural steroid injections. Surgery for the shoulder injury may also be required.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

With Florida being ranked third in car accident deaths after California and Texas, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Florida Legislature is tackling Florida car accidents in the final week of this legislative session. However, it appears not all bills will become Florida law.

Both the House and Senate passed a bill allowing local governments to use cameras at traffic intersections to catch red-light runners. "The main reason for this bill is to make roadways safe and to protect the lives of our men, women and children in the state of Florida," said Sen. Thad Altman, R-Melbourne, who sponsored the bill in the Senate. Governor Charlie Crist is likely to sign this bill into law.

The red light bill lets local governments install cameras at intersections and charges a $158 civil fine to motorists who run a red light. The measure makes it a civil infraction that doesn't factor into auto insurance rates.

Another bill being considered to reduce Florida automobile accidents caused by road rage is in the works of getting to the Governor's desk for signature. In a 30-6 vote, the Florida Senate passed a bill (SB 482) Tuesday that would require drivers in the left lane of a multilane highway to move out of the way of faster-moving traffic. The House is poised to pass it this week. "Road rage is one of the largest causes of traffic accidents, and unfortunately when they happen at 80 miles per hour, people die," said Sen. Michael Bennett, R-Bradenton, the bill's sponsor.

However, a law banning texting and driving does not look possible this year. The Florida Senate passed a bill (SB 448) Tuesday to ban texting while driving. Under the Senate bill, first-time violators could be fined $30 plus court costs. A second offense within five years would be a moving violation, costing the texting driver $60 plus court costs.However, it is unlikely a similar bill will pass the Florida House where Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, chairwoman of the House Finance and Tax Council, refuses to advance it because it doesn't address all driving distractions.

Car accidents are the number one killer of Florida teenagers and too many families are forever changed because of the negligence of another driver. If your family member has been injured in a Florida car accident, motorcycle crash or other personal injury, you need to talk to a lawyer to understand your rights. Insurance companies have attorneys looking out for their best interest--so should you!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

The families of a 22-year-old and 18-year-oldare mourning the death of their loved ones who were killed in a motorcycle crash last night.

According to Tampabay.com, the motorcycle driver and his passenger were driving a Suzuki motorcycle eastbound along College Avenue in Ruskin when a Jeep Cherokee turned left off of Eighth Street into the motorcycle's path. As a result, the motorcycle crashed into the Jeep.

Both occupants of the motorcycle were taken to South Bay Hospital where they died from their injuries.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families. To lose such young family members must be devastating. The sadness and loss will likely stay with the families forever.

Sadly, motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries and death. With the weather getting nicer, there will be more motorcycles on the road. Drivers, watch out for them! When turning left, always, always, always look left, then right, and then left again before making your turn. It could save a life!

Friday, April 23, 2010

A driver wanting to turn left puts Fabian Calvo in the hospital with serious injuries from a car accident yesterday in Palm Harbor.

Curt L. Ekberg was northbound on County Road 611 when he attempted a left turn onto Tarpon Lake Boulevard. Fabian Calvo was driving southbound on County Road 611 when Ekberg turned in front of him causing the car accident.

According to reports, Mr. Ekberg was listed in critical condition at Bayfront Medical Center and Fabian Calvo was in serious condition at Mease Countryside.

This accident should be a reminder of how many automobile accidents occur when someone is turning. Turing left in front of oncoming traffic is a dangerous thing. You must be patient and cautious. If you think you cannot make it, don't try it. A few extra minutes of waiting is far better than days, months, years of recovering from a car accident.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Many of us give little thought to the escalator we use at the mall, the airport or the convention center. Yet, there are approximately 11,000 injuries and at least 7,300 emergency room visits a year because of escalator related injuries according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). About 90% of these injuries occur because of falls and defects in the escalators and many of the injuries are serious.

The CPSC Does Not Regulate Escalators

The federal government, through the CPSC, does not regulate escalator safety. That is left to the city and state governments, and enforcement efforts differ from location to location. The lack of proper enforcement leads to inconsistent conformity with the escalator safety guidelines developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).For example, common defects that may be present on an escalator include:

Handrail problems that lead to finger entrapment;

Lack of safety precautions that allow for shoes, hair and clothing to become entrapped in the sides or stairs of the escalator;

Broken steps;

Lack of emergency shut off buttons to stop the escalator during an emergency; and

Lack of warning lines on the steps that make it difficult to determine when to step on and off the escalator safely.

Children are at Particular Risk

Children are at an increased risk for escalator accidents. It is important to make sure that your children are wearing safe shoes and are encouraged to stand in the middle of the escalator holding the hand of a responsible adult in order to minimize the danger to young children.

If you or your child have been hurt in an escalator accident, then it is important to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. An accident lawyer will protect your rights and fight for your fair and equitable recovery.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

The Florida Legislature has a bill heading to the Senate floor making it a traffic offense to text message while driving. If the bill banning texting while driving passes the Florida legislature, and you're caught texting and driving, you're going to get a ticket.

One band, Bradenton's We The Kings is also trying to stop teens from texting and driving. Whatever Tampa Bay area high school that gets the most students to pledge they will not text and drive anymore gets a free private concert performed by We The Kings. This campaign is powered by local non-profit More Health, 93.3 and Allstate Insurance.

According to 10Connects.com, We The Kings front man Travis Clark said, "All it takes is one little blink away from the road and something terrible could happen to you or a friend or someone you don't know. It's not cool."

So far, a dozen Bay area high schools are competing in the contest. If you want your school to get involved, click here to enter.

Distracted driving is one of the top causes of car accidents. Text messaging while driving takes your eyes and concentration off the road which can easily result in an automobile accident. Don't do it and don't drive with friends that text and drive. I have not yet a parent who wasn't willing to change plans around so their child doesn't have to car-pool with a driver who refuses to stop text messaging and driving.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Tailgating can be dangerous. No, I'm not talking about hanging out in the parking lot before the Bucs or Tampa Bay Rays game, I'm talking about what too many people do on the Florida roads every day.

Tailgating can cause car accidents. State law allows police to ticket drivers who are two seconds or less behind the car in front of them. Florida Statute 316.0895 states as follows:

(1) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the highway.

(2) It is unlawful for the driver of any motor truck, motor truck drawing another vehicle, or vehicle towing another vehicle or trailer, when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district, to follow within 300 feet of another motor truck, motor truck drawing another vehicle, or vehicle towing another vehicle or trailer. The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to prevent overtaking and passing nor shall the same apply upon any lane specially designated for use by motor trucks or other slow-moving vehicles.

Now, police have a high-tech tool to help crack down on tailgating and reduce rear-end car accidents. The laser tool is similar to the radar guns commonly used to catch speeders. However, this tool measures the time that elapses between cars.

Tampa police got a $48,000 state grant to buy 12 of the devices. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office already has two of the devices in use. Having accurate proof of the distance between cars will help police make case in court.

Enjoy tailgating before the Rays and Bucs games, but don't do it on the road. Tailgating causes aggressive driving and automobile accidents. It also can cost you a hefty fine. So, avoid it.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Joshua James Donahue, a 32-year-old New Port Richey father of three, is dead because a drunk transient from Largo decided to flee the police.

Brian Keith Ferry Sr. had a blood-alcohol level of 0.205 at the time of the crash, according to Clearwater police, which is more than twice the level at which Florida law presumes a driver is impaired.

Ferry's license was first suspended in 1996 for refusing to take a Breathalyzer test and permanently revoked in 2001 for drunk driving. At the time of this crash, Ferry was wanted on a warrant for driving with a suspended license. Police said they tracked Ferry down at the Copper Mug Bar at 1463 S Belcher Road around 1:45 a.m. When the police tried to pull over his 1998 Dodge Ram pickup, police said, Ferry fled north on Belcher Road. Clearwater officers followed Ferry but did not chase him, police said, because under Clearwater policy the misdemeanor arrest warrant did not merit a high-speed pursuit. Nevertheless, the impaired Ferry sped through a red light at the Drew Street intersection and plowed into a Yellow Cab driven by Joshua James Donahue, according to police. As a result, the father of three was killed.

Ferry was arrested on charges of vehicular homicide, fleeing and eluding at high speed with wanton disregard, and other traffic charges. He remained in the Pinellas County jail on Tuesday, held without bond.

It is remarkable how one person's selfish actions can forever change a family's life. Ferry apparently cared more about his alcohol and his warrants than the drivers on the road. As a result, Joshua Donahue was killed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Donahue family!

There are too many drivers like Brian Ferry on the roads. Protect you and your family with uninsured motorist coverage. I am 100% confident that Ferry didn't carry insurance coverage to compensate the Donahue family for medical bills, lost wages and the loss of their Dad. That is why uninsured motorist coverage is so important! Check your insurance policy now to make sure you have uninsured motorist coverage. Don't wait until it is too late.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Prom season is upon us. This raises concern for teenage car accidents and other injuries. A new survey indicates that we have much to be concerned about.

As reported in USA Today, according to a national survey of more than 2,500 11th and 12th graders, 90% of teens believe other teenagers are more likely to drink and drive on prom night. Another 79% believe the same is true for graduation night. However, what is more concerning is that only 25% of the teens believe that driving on prom night can be dangerous.

The survey was commissioned by Liberty Mutual Insurance and a group called Students Against Destructive Decisions. "Newspapers, television, YouTube and Facebook are rife with tales of tragedy from reckless driving on prom and graduation nights, yet an 'it won't happen to me' attitude continues to be so pervasive among our teens," said Dave Melton, a driving-safety expert with the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety. "Add to the alcohol factor distractions like texting or talking on the cell phone while driving, or the greater likelihood of multiple people in the car, and the crash potential is very real."

Car accidents are the number one killer of our teenagers. Parents have to educate teenagers about the risk of driving--whether it involves drinking and driving or not. Unfortunately, some parents may be teaching the wrong lesson. The same survey indicated that about 36% of students surveyed say parents have allowed them to attend parties where it is known that alcohol will be served.

The combination of a teenage driver mixed with cell phones, text-messaging, other teenagers in the car, and the inherent risk of driving for an inexperienced driver is too dangerous already. Don't add alcohol into the mix.

If your teenager or friend is injured because another teenager was negligent or careless, you should talk to a lawyer before talking with the insurance companies. Insurance companies have lawyers looking out for their best interest after your car accident--so should you!

Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Today, I watched the deli's employee erratically pull into our parking lot to deliver the sandwiches we ordered as she talked on her cell phone. As she got out of the car and walked to our office, she never let that cell phone leave her ear as she balances the sandwiches in her other hand.

If I was her employer, I would be very concerned that her need for talking on the cell phone was putting my company at risk for liability. Had she caused a car accident because she was more concerned about the caller than the motorcycle or car next to her, it would be her employer on the hook for the damages--whether is was business call or personal cell phone call.

Employers, make sure there is a clear written policy about no cell phone use during deliveries--and enforce it. Otherwise, that delivery person who may not cost you a lot of money now will soon cost you a boatload when they cause a car accident. Drivers, don't use your car as your couch where you catch up on the latest gossip with your friend. Drive in the car. Talk when you are done driving. It could prevent a car accident and save you a lifetime of problems.